Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal stars for hosts as England are made to toil in Chittagong

England's spin bowlers struggled to exert pressure on day two.

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal starred on day two in ChittagongGetty Images

Bangladesh edged ahead of England on the second day of the first Test in Chittagong, with the hosts now trailing their first innings score by 72 with five wickets in hand. Impressive contributions from opener Tamim Iqbal (78) and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim (48) saw the Tigers move to within sight of England's score of 293 all out during two-and-a-half sessions of hard graft for the tourists.

On another searingly hot day, England made a terrible start to proceedings, losing the accomplished Chris Woakes to the first ball. The Warwickshire all-rounder perished for 35, inside-edging a defensive stroke off the bowling of Taijul Islam into the hands of short-leg.

Thereafter, the flamboyant Adil Rashid made a useful 26 and Stuart Broad 13 as England shuffled their way towards a competitive-looking score on what is an increasingly tricky surface.

But England's battery of spin bowlers – which includes Rashid, Moeen Ali and the returning Gareth Batty – failed to sustain pressure on the Bangladeshi batting line-up, serving up too many full-tosses and long-hops during the afternoon and evening sessions.

The most notable bright spark from an England viewpoint arrived shortly before lunch, with Ali removing Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque in his first over. Subsequently, however, the Bangladeshis showed an impressive maturity to manoeuvre themselves into a potentially match-winning position.

The indefatigable Ben Stokes removed Rahim late in the day, with the batsman's slight edge just carrying into the gloves of Jonny Bairstow. But with Shakib Al Hasan still unbeaten on 31 at stumps, the hosts can generally be pleased with their batting effort so far.

"They are adept at playing spin in this environment," Batty subsequently told Sky Sports. "They had a spell when they played beautifully and manipulated us. They make you bowl fuller by going back to your better length balls. That is something we need to address."

Bangladesh will hope to build a sizeable lead on day three, before making England bat under pressure and on a devilish pitch in the third innings of the match.